TONY BLAIR pledged to extend childcare provision to make it an "affordable" option for all parents.

The Prime Minister also said Labour would set up Sure Start children's centres in every community in Britain if re-elected for a third term.

He promised "universal, affordable and flexible childcare for the parents of all three to 14-year-olds who want it from 8am in the morning to 6pm at night".

The charity Daycare Trust hailed Mr Blair's pledges to the Labour Party Conference as "just what millions of families have been waiting for".

Stephen Burke, director of Daycare Trust, said the children's centres would "change lives".

"Families want quality, affordable and flexible childcare near where they live," he said. "Children deserve the best start in life. Parents need childcare to work, study or train. Universal childcare will help create opportunities for all families.

"We look forward to the Government's 10-year plan for childcare, setting out how quality affordable childcare for children of all ages will be funded and delivered with a well paid, well trained workforce.

"We are on the threshold of a new era of universal childcare for all children and families."

Earlier this month, the Daycare Trust released figures showing that a typical nursery place for a child under the age of two currently costs nearly £7,000 a year.